When will the J-1 visa suspension end?
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs said the decision would be reviewed after the initial period with a further 30 day suspension possible. On June 22, 2020, President Trump issued an executive order suspending new J visas through the end of 2020. On December 31, 2020, this proclamation was extended to 31 March 2021.
What happens when a J-1 visa visitor's exchange program fails?
Failure is considered a violation of the J-1 visitor's immigration status and may result in the termination of the visitor's exchange program. Different categories exist within the J-1 program, each defining the purpose or type of exchange.
How long can a J-1 visa holder stay in the US?
J-1 visitors may remain in the United States until the end of their exchange program, as specified on form DS-2019. Once a J-1 visitor's program ends, he or she may remain in the United States for an additional 30 days, often referred to as a "grace period", in order to prepare for departure from the country.
How do I apply for a J-1 suspension of entry?
Exchange visitors who are seeking to apply for a J-1 visa and believe they may qualify for an NIE with respect to a geographic specific suspension of entry should contact their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before they attempt to travel to and enter the United States.
Can non-U.S. citizens travel to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country.
Is there an extension for immigration requests during the COVID-19 pandemic?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain flexibilities through July 25, 2022, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. We anticipate this may be the final extension of these flexibilities.
What are the requirements for a noncitizen, nonimmigrant, to travel to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Noncitizens who are nonimmigrants and seeking to enter the United States by air are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States from a foreign country.
Is there a travel advisory level 4 for COVID-19 at this time?
There are no Level 4 COVID-19 Travel Health Notices at this time.
What are the symptoms of Omicron Subvariants BA.4 and BA.5?
Experts said that, in general, these subvariants do not have markedly divergent symptoms from earlier versions of Omicron. People infected with BA.4 and BA.5 may develop a cough, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, headaches and muscle pains.
What are some of the symptoms of BA 4 & BA 5?
The U.K., where BA.4 and BA.5 infections also account for the majority of recent COVID cases, reported runny nose, sore throat, headache, persistent cough and fatigue as its most common symptoms last week.
Do I need to get a proof of being "fully vaccinated" against COVID-19 before I travel by air to the US from a foreign country?
If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country.
Is it mandatory to get a COVID-19 vaccine to travel to the US during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines.
Is a COVID-19 booster required for entry to the United States?
A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.
Are Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 more severe?
While they spread quicker than any others, BA.4 and BA.5 haven't been found to cause more severe disease, according to doctors. "There's really no clear evidence that they're more or less likely to make people sick and cause severe illness and death," stated Montefiori.
What are some of the symptoms of the Omicron subvariant BA.5?
Currently, the highly contagious BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants account for most reported cases this summer. Those subvariants have caused more upper respiratory, cold and flu-like symptoms, according to Chicago's top doctor, including fever, night sweats and sore throat.
What does warning level 3 in CDC Travel Health Notices entail during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Avoid all non-essential travel to this destination. The outbreak is of high risk to travelers and no precautions are available to protect against the identified increased risk.
Do I qualify for an exception or can I apply for an exception to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement?
See full answerCategories of noncitizen, nonimmigrants that meet the criteria for an exception under the proclamation and CDC’s order include: Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel Children under 18 years of age Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception Persons with valid visas [excluding B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas] who are citizens of a foreign country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age). Sea crew members traveling pursuant to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa Persons whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, or Secretary of Homeland Security (or their designees)
Does a non-U.S. citizen need to be vaccinated to enter the US during the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country.
Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?
If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.
What is the CDC operation expanded testing (OpET) program?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) program increases access to testing nationwide, especially for communities that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How long is the J1 visa suspension?
The suspension of the J1 summer visa program for 60 days will affect student’s travel plans, especially Irish students.
Is the J1 visa suspended?
The country’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State announced that several programs, including a J1 visa, will be temporarily suspended. “The situation regarding COVID 19 continues to evolve rapidly.
When will the J-1 visa expire?
The J-1 visa suspension (Presidential Proclamation 10052) has expired as of March 31, 2021. However geographic COVID-19-related Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, and 10143, which suspend entry into the United States of foreign nationals who have been physically present in the People’s Republic of China, Islamic Republic of Iran, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa in the 14-day period before seeking entry into the United States, remain in effect.
Is the J1 visa suspension still in place?
The J-1 visa program suspension remains in place until 31st December. This is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions, etc. The latest update from The Department of State was received on 17th December. This update outlined hopes that the J1 visa programs will be back up and running as soon as possible in the new year. However no date has been put on it, as everything depends on COVID-19. The quicker it clears the quicker everything, including visa programs, can get back to normal. Once we hear further word regarding when the visa will reopen, or if the suspension will be extended, we will update you here on this page. Please continue to check in here for updates. If you have not already registered your interest for our 2021 program then please do so now. We look forward to helping you with your J-1 visa program in 2021!
How many J-1 visas were issued in 2019?
All applicants must meet eligibility criteria, English language requirements, and be sponsored either by a university, private sector or government program. 353,300 J-1 visas were issued in 2019.
What is the purpose of J-1 visa?
Information Agency (USIA) to strengthen relations between the US and other countries. It fell under the purview of the USIA and not the Immigration and Naturalization Service because its main purpose is to disseminate information; its goal is to give people training and experience in the U.S. that they can use to benefit their home countries. These exchanges have assisted the Department of State in furthering the foreign policy objectives of the United States.
What is a J-1 waiver?
Interested government agency: A waiver issued for a J-1 holder by a U.S. Federal Government agency that has determined that such person is working on a project for or of its interest and the person's departure will be detrimental to its interest.
What is NOS in visa?
No objection statement ( NOS) issued by the government of the home country of the J visa holders.
What are the J-1 categories?
J-1 categories. Different categories exist within the J-1 program, each defining the purpose or type of exchange. While most J-1 categories are explicitly named in the federal regulations governing the J-1 program, others have been inferred from the regulatory language. Private sector programs:
How did the J-1 program help the Department of State?
These exchanges have assisted the Department of State in furthering the foreign policy objectives of the United States. The J-1 Program started by bringing scholars into the United States temporarily for a specific educational objective, such as teaching and conducting research.
When will the J visa end?
On June 22, 2020, President Trump issued an executive order suspending new J visas through the end of 2020. On December 31, 2020 this proclamation was extended to 31 March, 2021.
Who is NOT Affected?
Visa holders already in the United States are not affected by this order.
Extension of April 22, 2020 Proclamation
Furthermore, this proclamation extends a previous proclamation (dated April 22, 2020) suspending the entry of immigrant visa (“green card”) applicants. For a full discussion of this prior proclamation, see our article here.
Are Additional Restrictions for Those in the U.S. Possible in the Future?
Yes.
Foreign Nationals in the U.S
Q: I currently have one of the following visas (H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, J-1 or their dependents) and I am in the UNITED STATES. My non-immigrant visa is still valid. Can I travel and return to the U.S.?
Foreign Nationals Outside the U.S
Q: I am outside the U.S. but I’ve already been issued my nonimmigrant visa stamp in my passport. I was planning on going to the U.S. next month. Can I go to the U.S.?
Exceptions
Q: Do any of the exceptions listed in the Proclamation (i.e., entry would be in the “national interest” or facilitate “continued economic recovery”) apply to me?
Overview
COVID-19 suspension
Only U.S. government-sponsored J-1 visa programs were temporarily suspended in March 2020 for 60 days as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs said the decision would be reviewed after the initial period with a further 30 day suspension possible.
On June 22, 2020, President Trump issued an executive order suspending new J visas through t…
Duration of status
J-1 visitors may remain in the United States until the end of their exchange program, as specified on form DS-2019. Once a J-1 visitor's program ends, he or she may remain in the United States for an additional 30 days, often referred to as a "grace period", in order to prepare for departure from the country.
• The actual J-1 visa certificate does not specifically document this 30-day post-study/exam "gra…
Mandatory home residence requirement
Many persons in the United States on J-1 visa are subject to the two-year home residency requirement found in Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Under the Section 212(e), before a person on a J-1 visa with the two-year home residency requirement can obtain H, K, or L visas, obtain U.S. permanent resident status, or change nonimmigrant status inside the US, the J-1 person must either return to the country of last residence for two years or obtain a waive…
Reporting requirements
J-1 visa sponsors are required to monitor the progress and welfare of their participants. The J-1 visa sponsors should ensure that the participants' activities are consistent with the program category identified on the participants' Form DS-2019. Sponsors are also to require their participants to provide current contact (address and telephone number) information and to maintain this information in their files.
J-1 categories
Different categories exist within the J-1 program, each defining the purpose or type of exchange. While most J-1 categories are explicitly named in the federal regulations governing the J-1 program, others have been inferred from the regulatory language.
Private sector programs:
• Student, Secondary School
Taxation
Taxation of income earned by J-1 visitors varies according to the specific category the visitor was admitted under; the visitor's country of origin; and the duration of the visitor's stay in the United States. J-1 visa holders are exempt from paying Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes (for Social Security and Medicare) when they are nonresident aliens for tax purposes, which is usually the first five calendar years if they are categorized as students, or the first two calendar y…
History
The United States introduced the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Program under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright–Hays Act of 1961). The J-1 visa was administered by the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) to strengthen relations between the US and other countries. It fell under the purview of the USIA and not the Immigration and Naturalization Service because its main purpose is to disseminate information; its goal is to give people training and experience in …